Hurst Green Station, Hurst Green Halt (Closed), Hurst Green Junction and Limpsfield Tunnel

Railways came to this area relatively late, and it was not until 10 March 1884 that the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company opened the line that ran from Oxted to East Grinstead.

Subsequently a junction was created south of Hurst Green (then a simple railway halt taking a maximum of two carriages), and a line was constructed from the Hurst Green junction south through Edenbridge (called Edenbridge Town from 1 May 1896), Hever, Cowden and Ashurst to join with the existing line from East Grinstead through Withyham to Tunbridge Wells. This line opened to passengers on 1 October 1888 and is covered in a separate collection.

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The main entrance to Hurst Green Station, which is on the western side of the station and gives level access to the northbound platform. The building is of brick construction. 14.09.2008
On the eastern side of the station there is a simple level access to the southbound platform. 14.09.2008
At the northern end of Hurst Green station is the southern portal of Limpsfield Tunnel. Different reference sources variously quote the length as either 551 or 565 yards. 18.05.2008
Reducing the zoom, the northbound automatic signal that protects the section can be seen, as can the height of the hill above the tunnel. 18.05.2008
This is the same view ten years previously in 1998. The scene is typical of the line at the time, with overhanging trees, graffiti and a rusting apparatus case. 09.10.1998
Returning to 2008 again, Turbostar 171730 arrives on a Sunday service from Oxted to Uckfield. On Sundays Uckfield line trains use the bay platform at Oxted and do not venture into London. Two cars apparently suffice. 18.05.2008
The platform side of the northbound building at Hurst Green Station, looking north. The current station, which will take 12 coaches, was opened on 12 June 1961 following extensive post-war housing development in the area. The former two coach Halt south of the road bridge was then closed and demolished. 18.05.2008
A second view of the northbound station building from platform level. The building was locked, access to the platform being provided by a side gate. There is not exactly a queue of passengers on a Sunday. 18.05.2008
The reverse of the previous view, looking south towards the northbound platform. Beyond the station an unusually tall radio mast provides Cab Secure Radio and National Railway Network communications. 18.05.2008
Accommodation on the southbound platform is less generous, with a simple brick built open shelter. Not ideal for chilly weather, especially since this is a potential interchange point between Uckfield and East Grinstead services. 18.05.2008
Turbostar 171730 departs south en route to Uckfield having deposited three passengers. 18.05.2008
Looking north from the footbridge at Hurst Green Station. In the left foreground is a bracket for the old digital station clock (featured in a later photo). The clocks are long gone, but the brackets remain at many stations on the line. Obviously they were sunk rather firmly into the platforms! 18.05.2008
Frankly Hurst Green Station is a depressing environment, with a sea of concrete typical of the period in which it was constructed. At least the adjacent trees provide some relief and as yet the station has been spared the terrible security fencing evident at Oxted. This view looks south from the northern end of the northbound platform. 18.05.2008
The same view in 1998 catches the station in Connex blue and yellow. Contrast the standards of care with the previous picture. Ten years ago grass was growing on the platform and the whole area looks dirty. At least it is now kept tidy even if the concrete is unsightly. 09.10.1998
Looking south from slightly further down the northbound platform in 2008, the southbound starting signal located under the footbridge at the end of the platform and the repeater can be seen. 18.05.2008
Again approximately the same view ten years ago in 1998. The station looks untidy and overgrown. 09.10.1998
Another view south, this time taken from the southbound platform, shows why the starting signal requires a repeater. The sight lines are not ideal. 18.05.2008
Looking south from the northern end of the station building. Electronic train departure information is provided on both platforms. 18.05.2008
A concrete footbridge is not the most attractive of structures, but at least an attempt has been made to make this one a bit brighter. 18.05.2008
A low resolution picture taken in 1998, looking north from the northbound platform, shows the old digital clocks and departure boards. 09.10.1998
Signal OD21 controls departures south. The route indicator has been moved to the side of the signal presumably to facilitate sighting. Old pictures of the station show it formerly on the top of the signal. 18.05.2008
Looking through the road bridge the site of the former Hurst Green Halt is marked by the raised ground on the right. The Halt was of wooden construction, took a maximum of two coaches, and opened on 1 June 1907. 18.05.2008
Another view south through the road bridge shows the site of the southbound platform of the former Hurst Green Halt. The site is less distinct owing to the installation of more modern apparatus cases. Access to the platforms of the Halt was from the road bridge to the south of the current station. 18.05.2008
Looking south from the road bridge, with the site of the former Hurst Green Halt directly below and the junction beyond. Points provide a facility for trains to reverse here. When the Halt was open two unusually tall southbound starting semaphore signals for the junction stood about where the 70mph speed restriction sign is located. They were more than double the height of the two storey signal box that was located at the junction, and required because of the difficult sighting caused by the road bridge to the north. 18.05.2008
On the eastern side of the road bridge a footpath leads south, and many years ago was also the access point to the southbound platform of Hurst Green Halt. There is no trace of the northbound access to the Halt, the area being covered in undergrowth. 14.09.2008
Looking down from the footpath in the previous picture, this rubbish strewn area was the site of the former stairs to the Halt. Someone has thoughtfully thrown a cone over the fence to mark the spot.... 14.09.2008
Looking south to Hurst Green Junction with a long lens. Turbostar 171730 turns left on to the non-electified line to Uckfield, whilst the line to East Grinstead runs directly south away from the camera. 18.05.2008
A close up view of Hurst Green Junction looking south from the road bridge. 18.05.2008
The reverse of the previous view, looking north from the unusually long footbridge which spans both lines south of Hurst Green Junction. Hurst Green Junction signal box originally stood on the left at the point where the two Up lines from East Grinstead and Uckfield join. It has been totally demolished and a small flat area marks the site. 18.05.2008
Looking north at the crossover and the site of the former Hurst Green Halt. The former access points where stairs led down to the halt from the bridge would have been within the trees on either side of the line. 18.05.2008
Looking north and changing the camera angle slightly, the raised ground on the left still clearly marks the site of Hurst Green Halt despite the fact that it closed in 1961. 18.05.2008
Looking north from an alternative angle, the site of the southbound platform of the demolished Halt is very difficult to distinguish. 18.05.2008
Now looking south from the footbridge at Hurst Green Junction, the electrified lines on the right lead to East Grinstead, and the lines on the left to Uckfield. 18.05.2008
Looking south east down the Uckfield Line towards Edenbridge Town Station. A separate collection follows this line. The line remains as double track until south of Hever Station. 18.05.2008
Looking south down the East Grinstead line towards the next road bridge. 18.05.2008
Looking south with a long lens an AWS warning sign can be seen adjacent to the bridge. Other references suggest that these signs are very rare. I am informed that the AWS board is a trial that some areas have fitted to certain signals prone to being passed at danger. It is designed to get the driver to check the AWS indication on his sunflower in the cab. I have no knowledge of the location or the precise reason why this site was chosen. Can anyone provide further information? The remains of a white sighting panel for a semaphore signal can be seen on the left of the bridge. 18.05.2008